How to get crisp clogging double steps/shuffle steps.

[@lawrencestephens9776]

Good deal, sound is everything 🙂

[@hoedownexpress]

Indeed :-)

[@jeaniesdancin]

I am glad I found this video. I am in beginner clogging classes right now, and I have found that I miss the brush back sometimes on the double step, and I don’t know what’s causing that. Especially when I try and go fast. Is that normal for beginners? It drives me crazy when I only make 2 sounds lol The only thing I can think of that I may be doing wrong is I am not pointing my toe down toward the floor when Im doing the brush back, and maybe I’m too stiff. Any pointers are well appreciated!

[@hoedownexpress]

I am glad the video is helping. Try relaxing your jaw. It will help relax your body. Sometimes when we go faster we tense up and the movement at the ankle is not as fluid and the second sound doesn’t happen. Work on getting both sounds accurately slowly to build the muscle memory then slowly speed up. You’ll get it. Give yourself some time. :-)

[@jeaniesdancin]

@@hoedownexpress Excellent advice! I will try that. Thank you! 😊

[@hoedownexpress]

You’re welcome.

[@lawrencestephens9776]

Thank you Eric

[@hoedownexpress]

You are welcome Lawrence.

[@richardliles4415]

Thank you.

[@hoedownexpress]

You’re welcome.

[@Nancy-hy6ht]

Just started clogging and love it. I would love exercise routines that are simple and repetitive for practice and warm up, things that build muscle memory. If you have a thought, great!

[@hoedownexpress]

Hey Nancy, Welcome to the clogging community! What I tell beginners is practice the double steps and make sure to hear all 3 sounds. The sharper they are the easier each step will be and the better sound you’ll have. Any kind of balance challenges are good and if you really want to up the game do some jump rope. 😁

[@Nancy-hy6ht]

@@hoedownexpress Thank you! When not practice the two dances we will be doing, I practice double steps to get that very sound. Makes all the difference. Also working on getting this sound with more speed. I've never clogged and jumped into an intermediate class with a friend. Lots to learn but doing it. Hadn't thought of a jump soap. Must strengthen same muscles. Would love to learn simple dance steps to a song on your channel. Have a great day!

[@CornerLotLife]

This was wonderful! There's hardly any information out there for clogging techniques. I really appreciate this and hope you share any more tips you have!

[@hoedownexpress]

CornerLot Life , Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ll share what I can. 😁

[@jamieallison8583]

Thank you so much for making this! I am an absolute beginner at clogging, but have taken ballet for almost 2 years. I am currently learning on my own without an instructor until my studio has a fresh beginner clogging adult class to start up. The studio where I take from is very well known for clogging. Their youth teams have won several national championships and all of their dancers have really good technique. It would be nice to go into that class when it finally starts up and actually feel like I am as prepared as I can be. It was getting that even sound and the crispness on the double step that I was struggling with the most, so this was extremely helpful! I hope you make more of these!

[@hoedownexpress]

Jamie Allison, you’re welcome. I am very glad it helped you. You got this! Keep doing those double steps and you’ll do great!

[@WVclogger]

Eric, what headset /pack are you using?

[@hoedownexpress]

That one is an audio technica. I am still keeping it alive but it’s not available anymore. They are in the $300 range. There are cheaper ones now but they are what you pay for them.

[@BobWarnerBarn]

Think of it as 'all in the legs'....:)

[@hoedownexpress]

You betcha. 😁

[@BobWarnerBarn]

I can't do a good DS unless I make a DR and TP on the opposite foot....:)

[@hoedownexpress]

Ha! I use to do the same thing.

[@BobWarnerBarn]

@@hoedownexpress That way I can get a syncopated sound. Alternate between the heel drag and getting off of the floor...:)

[@dontaylor4545]

Half way good Tap Dance technique , completely wrong Clogging technique.🙁

[@hoedownexpress]

Okiedokie. What recommendations do you have for a better clogging technique?

[@dontaylor4545]

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[@dontaylor4545]

@@hoedownexpress Watch your video. You say and demonstrate both knees bent while kicking forward and brushing back, then stepping on the ball of your foot. Yet later in the same video you step flat after doing your kick, back brush. Stepping flat is correct for clogging, remaining on the balls of your feet is tap dancing. The double toe is a vertical movement, not horizontal with both knees straightening as you do the first brush and beginning to bend on the back brush in preparation for stepping flat with slightly more weight on your heel. The rolling shuffles you demonstrate later are 100% tap and never appear in clogging C.L.O.G. Offers a course for people to be certified Clogging Instructor, you might want to look into it.

[@hoedownexpress]

Dan, Thank you for the feedback and recommendation. When I teach beginners there is often a connection that can be made in clarifying 3 distinct sounds. The double step is in almost every clogging step, so I focus on that and getting that clearer and then the clogger can relax and learn new steps. And the end goal in clogging to me is to have fun and move with the crowd. 😁